Dos & Don’ts: Asking for the Job Title You Deserve

Your job title isn’t everything — but it does matter. When you’re offered a new role, or have been in the same position for some time, how should you think about what title you deserve? How do you decide whether it’s worth negotiating? If you don’t think you can get a raise, should you even ask for a change in your title? And what about the other side of the coin: How should you respond if your boss offers you a promotion in title — with no raise?

When accepting a new position or angling for a promotion, most people tend to focus on salary negotiation. But your job title should also be part of the equation, says Margaret Neale, professor at Stanford Graduate School of Business and coauthor of Getting (More of) What You Want. It’s “a signal both to the outside world and to your colleagues of what level you are within your organization,” she says, and should be seen as an element of “your compensation package” that affords status and connections and can “help you do your job better.” Your title can also have a big impact on your day-to-day happiness and engagement, says Dan Cable, professor at London Business School. “It is a form of self-expression in the workplace,” he says. “It is a symbolic representation of what you do and the value that you bring.” So, whether you’re eyeing a new role or a new title in your current one, here are some ideas for how to go about it.

Principles to Remember

Do:

Think about your individual circumstances and consider your reasons for wanting a new title. How will a new title help you do your job better?

Leverage your social network and other online resources to identify possible job titles that reflect your skills, expertise, and status.

Reflect on your boss’s motivations and challenges. Before you make the request, ask yourself: Why would my current or prospective boss say yes?

Don’t:

Go overboard with a personalized title. If you’d like one and your employer agrees to it, make sure you have a traditional equivalent.

Be myopic about negotiating for a better title. Everything — including your salary, job description, and benefits — should be on the table.

Get discouraged if you don’t get what you want right away. Asking for a new title is an ongoing negotiation.